[Albion] Swindon play off games

[Sarisbury Seagull]

As we’re now in play off season, I start thinking about this a lot as I do every season. Unbelievably we are approaching the 20 year anniversary!!

Despite all of the success we’ve achieved in recent years, I still say that second leg is my favourite experience as an Albion fan. There is just something about the play offs - a whole seasons work all coming down to one game/moment. The nerves and addrenalin you feel are incredible, it’s no coincidence that the best Amex atmosphere was in a play off game.

Watched the extended highlights of both legs last night and what an amazing night that was, so many memories. The ridiculous weather, Mooney missing again and again, Roberts amazing save, obviously Virgo’s last minute goal (you’re not there yet Swindon fans! ) but then witnessing pure addrenalin as the kid he was then smashed his penalty in, winning the pens and the the celebrations on the pitch. To get to the final and then go up with that limited ability wise but incredibly likeable and committed squad was unbelievable. And what a job McGhee did too. Loved it.

But one thing I didn’t remember until watching the highlights was how dreadful the penalty spot was where the pens were taken, I’m amazed any were scored at all!!

 

[Simster]

Happy days. The away leg was quality. We absolutely robbed them there too.

 

[HP Seagull]

Happy days. The away leg was quality. We absolutely robbed them there too.

Robbery barely does that afternoon justice!

 

[BN41Albion]

Got absolutely drenched walking from the city centre to the ground! Torrential downpour. Well worth it in the end though!

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Which one of you nicked my Mrs four bottles of Smirnoff ice and a bag of dry roasted peanuts off a seat at Swindon Station when she left them unattended to go for a dump? (I must have been talking to someone or something like that, maybe they were in on it? The theft not the dump)

Like someone said it’s 20 years ago, so buy me a beer tomorrow and I’ll forgive you.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

That second leg at Withdean was one hell of an evening. Almost mystical. Weather was sunny all afternoon. Then as the game approached, the sky went black and the heavens opened. A downpour of biblical proportions that stopped briefly for halftime before resuming when the players came out for the second half! Genuine pantomime villain in Tommy Mooney. Virgo bringing us back from the dead, wondrous penalty drama (altogether now: 'hit the bar, hit the bar, hit the bar'). Truly MARVELLOUS scenes at the end. Only time I've ever gone on the pitch and kissed a goalpost

 

[Frutos]

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Andy King puffing on a cigar during the game (first vid, 10:40)

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Happy days. The away leg was quality. We absolutely robbed them there too.

Did you take the plunge and attempt to drive round the magic roundabout? I seem to recall I thought 'f*** it' and just drove straight across it, but I could be making that up.

 

[indy3050]

I did both games but was unable to go to Cardiff

The rain I will never forget. Those Swindon fans must have wanted to die

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Happy days. The away leg was quality. We absolutely robbed them there too.

Chippy's shot and goal was superb.
Mind you, Mark McGhee did say he'd rather be a lucky manager than a good one.

Away leg, we were all suffering from sunburn on the open terrace unless you were wearing a John Prescott mask, and the home game, we were drowned rats.

The Seagulls Special train to Cardiff was great fun. Ostensibly it was dry, but coming home, we must have emptied the off licenses near the station as it was awash with alcohol.

 

[el punal]

Which one of you nicked my Mrs four bottles of Smirnoff ice and a bag of dry roasted peanuts off a seat at Swindon Station when she left them unattended to go for a dump? (I must have been talking to someone or something like that, maybe they were in on it? The theft not the dump)

Like someone said it’s 20 years ago, so buy me a beer tomorrow and I’ll forgive you.

Shit happens!

 

[Braggfan]

The following season after those play offs, I was travelling in Australia. I went to a hostel in Sydney, and some guy in the dorm I was in asked who I supported. When I told him that I was a Brighton fan, he moaned and said "You did us in the playoffs, I'm a Swindon fan". His mate then came in and asked the same question, and replied "You did us in the playoffs, I'm A Bristol City fan". It still makes me laugh.

 

[portslade seagull]

Hmmm, went with youngest son both extremely Wet and at HT walked him to the toilet on getting there he said he felt sick and promptly threw up by the St John's Ambulance. The crew got involved and said they would put him on the bed in the ambulance with a blanket to warm him up whilst I'm trying to reject this gesture to get back for the 2nd half.
For whatever reason they decided it was something more serious and called the club doctor over the tannoy. Doctor comes agrees and requests a 2nd Ambulance to take him to hospital.
Thankfully they did much to my indignance at the time. He stayed at the children's hospital for 10days where they diagnosed kidney stones. In the following 11yrs they removed a kidney and also cleaned as best they can his 2nd one.
So I never got to see the 2nd half or penalties although the nurses kept me updated

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

The away end at Swindon was a proper sea of blue and white. You don’t see that often anymore.

 

[papachris]

We were behind the goal at the final in Cardiff. Can remember big Chris going down like a sack of spuds for the penalty late on. Also remember the celebrations afterwards with Dick Knight on the pitch.

 

[brighton_tom]

We were behind the goal at the final in Cardiff. Can remember big Chris going down like a sack of spuds for the penalty late on. Also remember the celebrations afterwards with Dick Knight on the pitch.

That penalty in the final still baffles me... In terms of what the defender was doing. Literally take a big swinging kick at one of Chris' legs. Clearest penalty you'll ever see.

 

[jimhigham]

Listened to second leg on a dodgy dial up internet connection in Delhi at approaching three in the morning. Could only go quietly loopy too for fear of waking up the rest of the house. Up for work three hours later. That was an odd one.

Made it back the playoff final though.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

That penalty in the final still baffles me... In terms of what the defender was doing. Literally take a big swinging kick at one of Chris' legs. Clearest penalty you'll ever see.

Some friendly City fans having a post match beer in the castle grounds pulled me up and asked me if it “actually” was a penalty. They were slightly comforted when i informed them it was blatant

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Chippy's shot and goal was superb.
Mind you, Mark McGhee did say he'd rather be a lucky manager than a good one.

Away leg, we were all suffering from sunburn on the open terrace unless you were wearing a John Prescott mask, and the home game, we were drowned rats.

The Seagulls Special train to Cardiff was great fun. Ostensibly it was dry, but coming home, we must have emptied the off licenses near the station as it was awash with alcohol.

Ah, Cardiff. Not since the Notts County playoff final had I seen us play in such a big stadium. When I stepped out into the arena I has something in my eye.

Dreadful game though,